Super Star Rajinikanth conducted free marriages for 100 pairs, hailing from very poor families, on 11th July, at Ragavendra Kalyana Mandapam, Chennai, spending his own money! He's said to have presented each pair a total of 1 lakh rupees worth of marriage gifts.

Padma Sree Kamalhassan expressed his wish that his fans should join the military service.

Actor Chandrasekar contested in the Parliamentary election. He was standing for Dindigul constituency as D.M.K. candidate.

Actor Ajithkumar-actress Shalini announced about their would be marriage.

On August 23, Puratchi Kalaingnar Vijayakanth founded a Trust in his name with a fund of rupees 25 lakhs for the express purpose of helping the poor students to pursue their education.

After his marriage Vijai went to Australia to enjoy honeymoon. During then a rumour spread in Chennai that Vijay had passed away! Vijay

returned from honeymoon and appeared before media persons in Chennai along with his wife Sangeetha and thus put an end to the rumour.

Actors Nepolian and Thyagu were indulging in Election propaganda work near Theni in support of D.M.K. candidates. There they met with an accident but fortunately escaped unhurt. The vehicle they were travelling in got smashed.

Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan and Prabu carrying 'Iru Mudi' went to Sabari Mala to worship God Iyappa. After so many years' gap Sivaji has gone to Iyappan temple now.

M.T.V.Award was presented to 'Isai Puyal' A.R.Rahman.

Vijayakanth announced that for the first time in his cinema career he's acting in triple roles in "Simmaasanam".

It was alleged that the film "Minsaara Kannaa", acted by Vijay, was illegally video-tapped. Regarding this there cropped up a bitter controversy between directors K.Balachander and S.A.Chandrasekaran. As Balachander was the president of 'FEFSI', the members of that union announced that until Vijay apologizes to Balachander they won't work in Vijay's films in the future. Actor Ajithkumar sent in a request to FEFSI to reconsider it's decision. Later, a peaceful solution was foumd and the problems between the two directors were sorted out.

Super Star Rajinikanth's films "Muththu" and "Yejamaan" created new success history in Japanese theatres there. A Japanese team came down to Chennai to meet Rajini.

Tamil Film Producers' Council announced that it was about to make an agreement with the Cable T.V.Operators for telecasting new Tamil films.

On behalf of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvalloor Districts Distributors' Association it's President Chinthamani S.Murugesan donated rupees 5,ooo to Rajammal, wife of Tamil screen's first Super Star, late M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. "Padaiyappaa" distributor Chinthamani Muththukumaraiya, on his part, donated rupees 5,000 to Rajammal. Actor Parthiban came forward to help Rajammal with his own contributions by way of adoption. Kalaignar Karunanidhi's Government allotted a house for her.

The 100th Day function of "Padaiyappaa" was celebrated in a simple style under the presidentship of Chinthamani Muththu and Chinthamani Murugesan. Wrist watches were presented to 200 persons.

The Silver Jubilee function of "Padaiyappaa" was conducted at Ragavendra Kalyana Mandapam.

To felicitate Rajini's 25 years service in cinefield "Rajini 25" celebrations were announced.

Supreme Star Sarathkumar got involved in an accident while taking part in the shooting of a stunt scene for the film "Paattaali". His left hand joint got dislocated. Later, after 10 days' treatment, he became all right.

Aringnar Anna Award was presented to the directors S.A.Chandrasekaran and Sornam. M.G.R.Award was received by actors Prabu and Nepolian. Kalaivaanar Award was given to Janagaraj and Oorvasi. Raja Sando Award went to Balu Mahendra and Mani Ratnam. Kannadasan Award was awarded to Ponmani Vairamuthtu and kavingnar Palani Bharathi.

A legal suit was filed against the film "Vaattaakkudi Iranian", acted by Murali. As a result the name 'Vaattaakkudi' was removed from the film's title.

Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi decided to repeal the imposition of film right transfer sales tax of 11 percent which was said to be accounted for from 1989 onwards. Subsequently he reduced this tax to 4 percent. Producer A.V.M.Saravanan and Film Chamber President Rama Naidu felicitated Kalaignar Karunanidhi for this gesture.

Kamalhassan announced that the film work of "Hey Ram" has been completed and that it's total production cost has touched the mark of rupees 16 crores! In this Nashruddin Sha plays the role of Mahathma Gandhi and Vasundradass and Rani Mugarjee play the heroines.

Juliana, who was married by 80 years old veteran actor Gemini Ganesan as his fourth wife, wrote to Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi stating that Gemini Ganesan has done injustice to her, that she has been selling her jewels to get her daily bread and livelihood and that she has been undergoing great hardships without having a house to live in.

Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi announced while delivering his address at the Kalaimamani Award Presentation Function held on 20th November that a Cinema Award in the name of Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan would be presented from next year onwards.

Rajinikanth's sister Asuvath Pai expired in Bangalore. Rajini paid his last homage to her body.

Tamilnadu Government excempted the film "Kudumba Sangili" for four weeks from paying entertainment tax. Kalaippuli Sekaran, Kushboo, Alex and others have acted in it.

Glamour artiste Vishithra became T.V. film producer and director.

Arjun has completed acting in 100 films. His 100th film is "Mannavaru Sinnavaru".

Financier Bhothra has filed a legal suit against actress Roja asking her to return back to him 41 lakhs towards settlement of loan.

Kargil War Fund ---------- Not only in films but in real life too the cinestars abound in patriotism. This was proved when
Tamil screen stars organized a cultural programme at Madurai on July 11th and later in Chennai for collecting war relief fund for the families of the martyrs in the then on-going Kargil war! A cricket show match also took place in Chennai in which Kapil Dev, Sreekanth and Tamil cinestars participated as players. The fund thus collected was presented to the
Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi in the presence of Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan. More than 200 actors-actresses including Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar, Prabu, Sathyaraj, Nepolian, Arjun, actresses Kushboo, Devayani and others participated in these programmes.

Rajini's 25 Years In Cinefield ----------------------

Rajinikanth, who was introduced into cinefield by director K.Balachander through his film "Apoorva Raagangal", has now completed 25 years service in the field. In this 25 years he has acted in 150 films.

Rajinikanth's wife Lata Rajinikanth announced to treat this feat of his husband as 'Rajini 25' celebrations. This was conducted at M.G.R.Film City, Tharamani, Chennai.

Earlier, on 12th December, Lata Rajini inaugurated 'Rajini 25' film festival at Bala Abirami Theatre, Chennai. 15 films acted by Rajini were screened there in the course of three days. A Photo Exhibition depicting Rajinikanth's life history had been declared open at M.G.R. Film City, Chennai.

Newfaces Introduced ---------------

Following are the newface artistes who got introduced into Tamil filmworld in 1999:

Actor Vijay married London-based Tamil girl Sangeetha. While they were acting in the film "Nesam Puthusu", actor Ranjith and actress Priya Raman fell in love with each other and became life-partners through marriage. Actress Oorvasi and Malayalam actor Manoj K.Jayan loved each other and married. "Aranmanaikkili" Gayathri married Kayaas.

Ambiga, who was earlier said to have divorced her American husband, married Ravikanth. Kajol and Hindi actor Ajai Dev Khan got united in marriage. Actress Mohini and Bharath, an American Bank employee, loved each other and married. Ezhil, the director of "Thullaatha Manamum Thullum" got married. Gauthaman, the director of "Kanave Kalaiyaathe"entered into married life. Actress Madhu Bala married a business magnate.Actor Vishnu got married. Actresses Madhuri Dixit, Panupriya, Saratha Preetha, Renuga, Keerthana got married too. Actress Anju Aravind married K.T.Devan.

A Film For Guinness Record -------------

A Tamil film by name "Suyamvaram" was produced with the express purpose of securing a place in Guinness Record. 14 heroes and 12 heroined acted in it. 4 music directors composed musical scores. 15 directors directed different portions of the film. The shooting work of the entire film was completed within 24 hours. It's a full-length feature film.

21 Newface Directors In 1999 --------------

21 newface directors have been introduced into Tamil filmfield in 1999. They are:

1) Bharathi Ganesh (Film: "Kannupada Poguthaiyaa")

2) Gauthaman ("Kanave Kalaiyaathe")

3) Charanraj ("Annan Thangachchi:". Originally Charanraj is an actor)

4) Actor Mohan ("Anbulla Kaathalukku")

5) S.S.Madhavan ("Maravaathe Kannmaniye")

6) Manoj Bhatnagar ("Yentrentrum Kaathal")

7) V.C.Ramani ("Yethirum Puthirum")

8) P.G.Rajmohan ("Guest House")

9) Ravi Raja ("Jayam")

10) Actor Ravichandran ("Maanaseega Kaathal")

11) Rajakumaran ("Nee Varuvaay Yena")

12) Prabu ("Kannodu Kaanbathellaam")

13) Vel Karthik "(Nesam Puthusu")

14) Anvar ("Ootty")

15) Madhuvaran ("Poo Mahal Oorvalam")

16) Vijayaraj ("Pombalainga Samaachchaaram")

17) Jagan ("Suryappaarvai")

18) S.Ezhil ("Thullaatha Manamum Thullum")

19) Ramesh Kannaa ("Thodarum")

20) S.J.Surya ("Vaali")

21) Bala ("Sethu")

Director Hits Century -------

Popular Tamil film director Ramanarayanan has achieved a unique feat. He has so far directed 100 films. His 100th film is the recent release "Thiruppathy Ezhumalai Venkatesa", which is a hit film.

From 1931 To 1999 5049 Films --------

From 1931 to 1999, a total of 5,049 films have been released in Tamil. The details:

1931 to 1993 ----------- 4,242 Films.

1994 ------------ 137 "

1995 ------------- 151 "

1996 ------------- 137 "

1997 ------------- 111 "

1998 -------------- 117 "

1999 -------------- 149 "

Departed Souls ---------

In 1999 following cine personalities passed away from this world. They are: